CBD for Sundowning in Dogs: Restoring Calm After Sunset
If your senior dog becomes anxious, restless, or vocal as the sun goes down, you're likely seeing the effects of Sundowning in dogs, a real and often misunderstood condition that disrupts sleep, heightens stress, and turns evenings into a struggle for both pet and owner.
Dog sundowner syndrome isn't just a phase. It's a neurological shift that demands attention, not guesswork. While traditional vet care plays a role, more dog owners are turning to targeted, natural solutions that actually work. CBD stands out as one of the most promising tools to ease anxiety and restore calm when it's needed most.
This guide cuts through the noise. You'll learn sundowners syndrome definition, why it happens, and how to use CBD with intention—so your dog can rest, and so can you.
What is Sundowning in Dogs? Understanding the Evening Agitation & sundowner meaning
Sundowning in dogs is when older dogs start acting anxious, restless, or confused as evening turns to night. It's a lot like what happens to some older adults with dementia. Your dog might seem fine all day, then suddenly start pacing, whining, or barking once it gets dark.
This behavior likely comes from changes in their internal clock and how they respond to less light and quieter surroundings. Nighttime can make confusion and anxiety worse. Spotting these signs early helps you get the right care and support your dog needs to feel more at ease.
Common sundowner symptoms in Dogs:
Look for these signs to know if your dog might be Sundowning:
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Restlessness and Pacing: Your dog walks back and forth, unable to settle or find a comfy spot to lie down. This can go on for hours.
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Increased Vocalization: Excessive barking, whimpering, or whining, often without an apparent reason, especially at night.
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Disorientation and Confusion: Your dog might stare blankly, get stuck in corners, or seem lost in familiar rooms. They might not seem to know you well.
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Anxiety and Fear: Panting, trembling, hiding, or constantly wanting reassurance from you. They might get scared by normal household sounds or shadows.
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Altered Sleep Patterns: Sleeping a lot during the day but being restless or wide awake for long periods at night.
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House-Soiling Accidents: Having accidents indoors, even if they are house-trained, is often due to confusion or forgetting how to signal.
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Changes in Interaction: They might seem more withdrawn, or sometimes more needy and clingy.
These behaviors, especially when they start or get worse in the evening, are strong signs of Sundowning in dogs and should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Why Does Sundowning Happen? Possible Causes
Sundowning is not just a regular part of getting old. Sundowners symptoms often point to changes in your dog's brain and body. Knowing the possible causes helps you work with your vet to find the best ways to help your dog.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS): Doggy Alzheimer's
This is the most common cause. As dogs age, their brains can change in ways similar to human dementia. This affects memory, learning, and awareness. Brain cells can work less well, and chemical balances in the brain can shift, disrupting sleep and mood. This confusion and anxiety often get worse in the dark and quiet, as there are fewer clues to help the dog understand where they are.
2. Pain and Discomfort
Many older dogs have hidden pains, like arthritis or joint problems. Pain can feel worse when they try to rest, or when it's colder, making them restless and unable to get comfortable. Aching joints can make it hard to lie down or get up without pain, leading to pacing and discomfort.
3. Sensory Decline
As dogs get older, their senses weaken.
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Poor Vision: In dim light, dogs with bad eyesight can feel lost or bump into things, increasing anxiety because they can't see clearly.
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Reduced Hearing: Not hearing well can make them feel alone or easily scared. They might not hear comforting sounds, making quiet evenings unsettling.
4. Anxiety and Fear
General anxiety plays a significant role in Sundowning in dogs. The change from daylight to dim light can be scary. Familiar places might look different, making an older dog feel less safe and more fearful. This can lead to panting, trembling, or a constant need for reassurance.
5. Underlying Medical Conditions
It's essential to check for other health problems that can cause symptoms like Sundowners disease, as some can be treated. These include thyroid issues, kidney or liver disease, urinary tract infections, or high blood pressure. Your vet can do tests to rule these out.
6. Disrupted Circadian Rhythm
An older dog's internal body clock (which tells them when to sleep and wake) can get out of sync. This means they might sleep too much during the day and be awake and confused at night. This internal mix-up can lead to their restless evening behaviors.
Talking to your veterinarian is the first and most crucial step to understanding why your dog is Sundowning. They can check for medical issues and help diagnose CDS.
Related: How CBD Can Improve Quality of Life for Older Dogs
CBD for Sundowning: Potential Benefits for Your Dog
CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in hemp that can gently support your dog's health—without getting them high. It works with something all mammals have: the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This system helps regulate key functions like mood, sleep, pain, and memory. For dogs struggling with Sundowning, CBD can help bring the ECS back into balance and ease some of the symptoms.
Here's how CBD may support with Sundowning in dogs:
1. Calms Anxiety
Evening restlessness often stems from confusion and stress. CBD can help calm your dog by influencing mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin, which may reduce pacing, barking, and whining at night.
2. Supports Better Sleep
Sundowning can throw off your dog's sleep rhythm. CBD may help reset their natural cycle, making it easier for them to sleep at night and feel more settled.
3. Eases Pain and Inflammation
Joint pain or general discomfort can make dogs more restless. CBD has anti-inflammatory effects that may relieve pain and help your dog relax.
4. Supports Brain Health
Sundowners disease is often linked to age-related brain changes. While research is still growing, CBD may offer protective benefits for brain health, which can help manage symptoms of cognitive decline.
5. Improves Daily Comfort
By reducing stress, pain, and sleep issues, CBD may help your senior dog feel better overall—calmer, more rested, and more present with you each day.
How to Safely Use CBD for Sundowning in Dogs
CBD can help ease Sundowning symptoms, but using it the right way is key. Here's what you need to know to keep your dog safe and get the most out of it.
1. Talk to Your Vet First
Always start here. Your vet knows your dog's health history and can:
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Confirm if the issue is Sundowning or something else
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Recommend a safe starting dose based on your dog's size and symptoms
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Flag any possible side effects or medication interactions
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Help monitor your dog's response and make adjustments if needed
2. Pick the Right Type of CBD
There are a lot of products out there; choose wisely.
Forms to consider:
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CBD oils/tinctures: Easy to measure and mix with food or give directly
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CBD treats: Convenient, but check the dose per treat
What to look for:
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Third-party lab tested (COA): This proves what's in the product and that it's safe (low THC, no toxins)
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Made from organic hemp: Avoids harmful chemicals
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Pet-specific formulas: Human products might contain unsafe ingredients for dogs
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Low or no THC: Less than 0.3% is considered safe—anything higher can be harmful
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Full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD: These offer more benefits than CBD isolate, thanks to other helpful hemp compounds
Start low, go slow, and keep a close eye on your dog's behavior. When done right, CBD can make evenings a lot easier for both of you.
Conclusion
Sundowning in dogs can be tough for your dog and you. The confusion, restlessness, and anxiety that show up in the evenings are often tied to aging, brain changes, and discomfort. Knowing the meaning of Sundowner what's behind it is the first step toward helping.
CBD offers a natural way to ease those symptoms alongside regular vet care. It can help calm anxiety, improve sleep, reduce pain, and support overall brain health. When used correctly, it's a gentle and effective tool to make nights easier for your dog.
The key is a balanced approach: talk to your vet, choose quality CBD, and create a calm, comforting space. With the proper support, your senior dog can feel more relaxed, and you can both enjoy quieter evenings together.
